IOC President Thomas Bach said confidence is rising regarding the Tokyo Olympics given rapid coronavirus testing and the possibility of a vaccine.
“We are almost more confident that, at the beginning of the next year, we can add to the tools for the counter measures [to the virus],” Bach said Wednesday. “New, even more reliable rapid tests and also vaccine, or vaccines, even will be available. This makes both the organizing committee and the IOC very, very confident about the Opening Ceremony on 23rd of July.”
The IOC and Tokyo organizers, who are following direction from medical experts including the World Health Organization, have not said vaccine availability is a prerequisite for the Games taking place.